The Ministry of Education has revised the school calendar to address learner fatigue and curb student unrest by adjusting term durations and extending breaks to allow learners more time to rest.
The changes follow unrest that affected more than 200 schools this year, involving strikes, dormitory fires, walkouts and destruction of property, with some incidents causing injuries and losses worth millions of shillings.
During a May 14 emergency meeting, school administrators identified examination anxiety and academic fatigue as key drivers of the unrest.
Other concerns included poor boarding conditions, leadership challenges, peer pressure and substance abuse.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the planned review in June before appointing a 52-member task team chaired by Professor Peter Mbithi in October to investigate the unrest and recommend reforms.
The revised calendar, communicated in an October 19 circular, introduces longer midterm and August breaks while shortening the December holiday and adjusting term durations to create a more balanced learning schedule.
Mombasa Sports Club Rugby has secured a Sh4.5 million sponsorship deal with Mitchell Cotts Freight Kenya Limited in a major boost to its campaign to return to the Kenya Cup.
The three-season partnership, covering the 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 seasons, will see the logistics company serve as the club’s title sponsor, providing Sh1.5 million annually.
The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two organisations, with Mitchell Cotts having served as the club’s official kit sponsor during the 2025/26 season.
Under the new arrangement, the company will occupy the front-of-shirt position on the club’s senior 15s and sevens playing kits, alongside match-day, digital and community rugby branding rights.
The sponsorship funds will support the club’s daily management and match operations, including team travel, accommodation, meals, equipment and other match-day expenses.
Mombasa Rugby chairman Rogers Otieno Lai said the expanded partnership would provide the financial support needed as the club seeks to regain its place in the country's top rugby competition.
“We thank Mitchell Cotts for standing with us, first on our shirts and now as our title sponsor. This is a big boost as we rally the club back to the Kenya Cup. Partnerships like this are how we get there,” he said.
The club begins its Kenya Rugby Championship campaign away to South Coast Pirates on November 21, 2026. The 11-match season runs until March 13, 2027, with five fixtures scheduled at Mombasa Sports Club.
Mitchell Cotts Group general manager for Commercial Maina Kio said the decision to elevate the company’s involvement reflected its confidence in the club and its commitment to communities where it operates.
“Our journey with Mombasa Rugby started on the shirt, and the club has shown the discipline and transparency we look for in a partner. Stepping up to title sponsor reflects our commitment to the communities where we operate. We are proud to back the team on the road back to the Kenya Cup,” he said.
Listen Media director Teddy Ndemo, whose agency manages the club’s commercial rights, said the three-year agreement would provide greater stability as the club pursues its sporting ambitions.
“This partnership shows what happens when a sponsor and a club grow together. We set out to turn a kit deal into a long-term platform. Moving Mitchell Cotts from the shirt to the title, across three seasons, gives the club stability,” he said.
The partnership will also support the club’s age-grade and community rugby programme, which provides young players along the Coast with a pathway into senior rugby under a safeguarding policy.
A mother whose daughter died when she was 36 weeks pregnant has said she is "hurting a lot" after thieves targeted her child's grave twice.
Courteney Alikhan said figures had been taken from the grave at Canley Crematorium, Coventry, prompting her to launch a petition for improved security at council-managed cemeteries and crematoriums, including CCTV at entry and exit points.
The council has pledged to strengthen security but stopped short of committing to CCTV, saying it would not be "practical or proportionate". It also urged families to report suspected thefts or vandalism to police.
Alikhan said the decision was disappointing and believes the council is "allowing the problem to continue".
"Losing a child is bad enough, no one wants to experience that, but to then have someone go to where she is resting, it is a real big invasion of her privacy," Alikhan, 28, added.
"You are taking from people that can't defend themselves and that hurts a lot because as her mum I am not there to defend her."
While pregnant with daughter Avayah-Laylah in May, Alikhan was taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire after feeling unwell but suffered a "massive haemorrhage" on the way.
"When I got to the hospital, I had lost so much blood and they said she had passed away," she said.
Following the funeral in June, the family decorated the grave with personal items and keepsakes.
"Everything was fine until this summer when, within just over 24 hours, thieves stole from my daughter's grave twice," Alikhan, from Coventry, said.
"Her little figures were stolen, some were toys and ducks, things you wouldn't think would appeal to people."
Alikhan said she is not asking for cameras to monitor every grave but believes CCTV covering entrances and exits could provide vital evidence for police investigations.
"What happens is you report the theft, you get a crime number, and the police tell you how wrong it is, but then there's nothing they can do because there's no CCTV," she said.
"There is nothing families can do to stop these thefts because the council isn't putting up the equipment to help prevent it or make it easier to catch whoever is responsible. It feels like you're going around in circles."
She added: "I'm upset by the council's decision. I don't think what they have proposed is going to change much."
Since speaking publicly, Alikhan said she had been contacted by several other bereaved families who reported thefts from graves at Canley Crematorium and Lentons Lane Cemetery.
"These reports suggest this is not an isolated incident and that further action is needed to improve security across Coventry's cemeteries and crematoria," she said.
"Coventry City Council previously considered a petition on cemetery security in 2018. Since then, CCTV technology has become significantly more effective and affordable.
"Every family deserves the reassurance that they can visit the resting place of a loved one without fear of theft or vandalism."
Councillor Patricia Hetherton, cabinet member for city services, said the council was "committed to strengthening existing security arrangements" across the six cemeteries and crematoriums it manages.
Proposed measures include increasing routine monitoring by bereavement services staff and out-of-hours security personnel, reminding staff to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, and continuing to log incidents to identify any emerging patterns or areas of concern.
West Midlands Police urged anyone who had been a victim of this type of theft to contact them.
"We will continue to work alongside partners including the local authority and the cemetery's management to address concerns and investigate any thefts which are reported to us," the force added.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has praised President William Ruto's administration for reducing fertiliser prices, saying the move has eased the cost of agricultural production and improved farmers' prospects of higher yields.
Speaking during a meeting with farmers in Kakamega County, Omollo said the reduction in fertiliser prices from Sh7,000 to Sh2,000 had demonstrated the government's commitment to supporting agriculture and improving livelihoods.
“Under our fifth president, President William Ruto, Kenya has gained a leader who truly prioritises farmers by slashing fertiliser prices from Sh7,000 to Sh2,000,” Omollo said.
He said the subsidised inputs were available to farmers across different agricultural sectors, including sugarcane, maize, coffee and tea, provided they were registered under the government's farmer registration programme.
“It does not matter whether you grow sugarcane, maize, coffee or tea. All you need to do is to be a registered farmer,” he said.
The PS noted that the lower cost of fertiliser had opened up opportunities for farmers who previously struggled to afford the input, allowing them to improve productivity and increase their harvests.
“It now means if you would not have used fertiliser, now you have it and the yields will improve,” Omollo said.
He added that affordable agricultural inputs, improved crop production and timely payments were critical in helping farmers sustain their livelihoods and support their families.
“We now have affordable access to inputs, boosting crop yields and ensuring prompt payments so you can properly support your families. This is the progressive nation we have sought for decades,” he said.
Omollo said the government's engagement with farmers at the grassroots was aimed at listening to their concerns, explaining policy interventions and providing information on ongoing programmes.
He urged residents to seek accurate information on government initiatives and challenge politicians who misrepresented the administration's development record.
“As your national leaders, we come directly to the grassroots to listen to your needs and share truth transparently,” he said.
The PS added that government officials were committed to explaining progress made in agricultural subsidies, healthcare reforms, education and local security.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has jokingly accused American Democrat James Talarico of stealing the victory speech that the Linda Mwananchi Movement had planned to deliver after the August 2027 General Election.
Sifuna was reacting to Talarico’s victory in the November 3 US midterm elections, in which he defeated Republican opponent Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, to win a Senate seat in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate since 1988.
The victory was a major upset for Republicans, who had invested heavily in the race, with the party, led by President Donald Trump, reportedly spending more than $200 million on campaigns.
Talarico, a former schoolteacher who was relatively little-known until last year, made the rising cost of living under the Trump administration a central theme of his campaign, helping him overcome the financial muscle of his opponents.
In his victory speech at an election-night watch party in Austin, Texas, Talarico presented the result as proof that ordinary citizens could overcome powerful political and financial interests.
"We just took back Texas," he declared, drawing loud cheers from supporters.
"We just proved that all the money in the world is no match for the people of Texas. We just showed that a politics of division is no match for a politics of love and we just sent a message to every billionaire mega donor, every trillionaire mega donor," he added.
Talarico likened his emphantic triumph to the biblical story of David defeating Goliath, portraying his campaign as an underdog contest against a powerful opponent.
"I'm reminded of that story from scripture, of a shepherd boy who goes up against a giant. For 40 days, Goliath teases and taunts. On the day of the fight, he shows up in full armour; he's carrying so many weapons he needs someone else to carry his shield," he said.
He said David wasn't as big or strong as Goliath and he didn't have as many weapons but he had hope, faith and nothing more than a slingshot.
"In this race, we went up against our own Goliath. You were my slingshot. The people of Texas were my sling shot and tonight we defeated Goliath," he said amid another round of wild cheers.
It was this message of an underdog overcoming seemingly insurmountable political opponent that caught Sifuna's attention, prompting him to draw parallels with his own political ambitions in Kenya.
"Talarico stole the Linda Mwananchi victory speech we were to give in August 2027. It now appears the World Bank has gotten its hands on our plan," he said.
His ally, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who shared a clip of Talarico's speech on his X account, also saw similarities between the American Democrat's message and the Kenyan movement.
"Relates very well with Linda Mwananchi Movement in Kenya," he wrote.
Sifuna is positioning himself as a potential opposition presidential candidate as negotiations continue among the co-principals in the United Opposition over the selection of a single flagbearer to challenge President William Ruto in the August 10, 2027 General Election.
The former ODM secretary general is seeking to translate his growing political profile into a broader national support base, continuing to mobilise supporters across the country as he builds a case for his presidential ambitions.
Listen to articleSome of the Ethiopians were reportedly abandoned in Kenya after being promised safe transit to South Africa, leaving them exposed to exploitation, particularly due to their lack of proper documentation.Vulnerable Ethiopian nationals living in Kiamaiko, Huruma, are facing sexual exploitation, underpayment and abusive working conditions after being allegedly lured to Kenya with promises of safe passage to South Africa, a grassroots human rights initiative has said.
Land-price growth in Nairobi’s suburbs slowed to a three-year low in the third quarter of 2026, extending a broader moderation in quarterly appreciation over the past two years, according to the latest HassConsult Land Price Index.The slowdown was mirrored in Nairobi’s satellite towns, where price appreciation also fell by more than half compared with the previous quarter.
Students and staff of Kisii University will gather this evening for a candle-lighting procession in memory of the late student Hyrence Akoth, whose registration number is CB13/05409/23.The vigil is scheduled for today, Thursday, November 5, 2026. It will begin at 6pm at the Fruit Centre before moving towards the university's main gate.
The Senate has launched an investigation into recurring building collapses in Nairobi, with lawmakers targeting construction projects suspected of violating safety standards and more than 300 files forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for possible enforcement action.
The Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing will investigate breaches of approved building plans, poor construction standards, weaknesses in regulatory enforcement and possible professional negligence.
Committee Chairperson Hamida Kibwana announced the planned inquiry in a statement on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, warning that continued building failures were exposing residents, traders and members of the public to danger.
The investigation follows a series of building collapses reported in Nairobi this year, including the October 23 incident along 9th Street in Eastleigh, where a multi-storey building under construction came crashing down.
The building had businesses operating on its ground and basement floors, raising concerns about the risks posed when construction activities take place alongside occupied commercial premises.
The Eastleigh tragedy has attracted national attention, with rescue operations recovering five bodies and leaving 16 people reported missing in the latest update. Four people were rescued alive.
Kibwana said the Committee would examine whether developers complied with approved construction plans and whether regulatory agencies fulfilled their responsibilities in ensuring buildings were safe for occupation.
“These incidents raise concerns regarding compliance, structural safety and accountability,” she said.
Among the incidents the Committee intends to examine is the January collapse of Manzil Towers in South C, where construction went beyond the approved 12 storeys by an additional four floors.
The National Construction Authority (NCA) had previously confirmed that the South C development was registered and approved for a 12-storey structure. Following the collapse on January 2, 2026, the Authority announced that investigations would establish the circumstances behind the incident and determine liability.
The Committee will also investigate the partial collapse of a 22-storey building under construction along School Lane in Westlands and the collapse of a building in Blue Estate, Shauri Moyo, during a demolition exercise linked to the Nairobi River Regeneration Project.
The latest incidents have renewed questions about whether developers are following approved designs and whether county and national agencies are conducting adequate inspections before and during construction.
The Senate investigation will also examine the status of more than 300 files involving developments suspected of violating construction regulations.
According to Kibwana, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja informed the Committee during a meeting on October 13 that the county government had forwarded more than 300 files to the ODPP for further action.
The Committee plans to engage the prosecution office to establish how many of the files have resulted in charges, prosecutions or other enforcement measures.
It will also seek explanations for any delays in processing the cases.
The development follows a site visit by the Senate Committee to parts of Eastleigh on September 29, during which lawmakers assessed concerns surrounding unregulated developments, encroachment on public spaces and obstruction of roads and drainage systems.
The Committee subsequently met Sakaja to discuss the challenges facing the county in enforcing development regulations.
The ODPP had separately announced on October 26 that it had directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the Eastleigh building collapse, including the conduct of county officials, the developer, contractors and professionals involved in the project.
The prosecution office said it had not received an inquiry file specifically relating to the construction of the collapsed Eastleigh building at the time of its statement.
Kibwana cited findings from the National Building Inspectorate’s 2025 audit, which assessed 396 developments across the country.
The audit found that 87 per cent of the developments either failed to meet building standards or lacked the necessary approvals.
It also resulted in the emergency demolition of two buildings because of serious structural defects and documented six major building collapses in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisii during 2025, including two incidents in Parklands, Nairobi.
The findings were highlighted in the Architectural Association of Kenya’s Status of the Built Environment Report 2025, which raised concerns about persistent weaknesses in construction oversight.
The report also showed that the number of buildings audited by the National Building Inspectorate fell sharply from 20,649 in 2024 to just 396 in 2025, raising questions about the capacity of regulators to monitor construction activity.
A separate government assessment covering July 1, 2025, to April 2, 2026, found that 12,018 out of 21,282 buildings inspected across the country were non-compliant.
In Nairobi, 3,908 developments were assessed, with 2,261 found to be compliant.
The findings point to a wider challenge in enforcing construction regulations, particularly as demand for housing and commercial buildings continues to grow.
KenGen has gone to the High Court seeking to overturn a Sh2.35 billion claim from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) in a legal battle that has lasted more than a decade.
The taxman’s claim was triggered by the power producer’s payment of a Sh5.7 billion dividend to the National Treasury on June 30, 2016.
